Developments in Brief : Ultrasound Images Aid Appendicitis Diagnosis

The task of diagnosing appendicitis, still difficult a century after the ailment was first recognized, can be aided by ultrasound images, a new study concludes.

Dutch doctors said the technique, already used to spot many other diseases, may help doctors distinguish appendicitis from other painful abdominal conditions. This should improve the chances of avoiding both ruptured appendixes and unnecessary surgery.

In a study published in the current New England Journal of Medicine, doctors from the Westeinde Hospital in The Hague said up to 25% of appendix operations typically are unnecessary because pains are mistakenly confused with appendicitis. And in a slightly larger proportion of cases, surgery is delayed because doctors are uncertain what is causing the symptoms, and this increases the chances of dangerous breaking of the appendix.

The study involved 111 patients who were thought to have appendicitis. Ultrasound accurately spotted the problem in 75% of those who had appendicitis. And it didn’t mistakenly suggest appendicitis in any of the people who were free of the illness.

It frequently failed to spot appendixes that had burst. However, the doctors said this was not a problem, because such a condition was obvious from other symptoms.